International Recognition of Palestine Gains Momentum Amid Global Support

Strategic Insights -

A historic step towards Palestinian independence is emerging, despite ongoing Israeli blockade and military actions. On September 12, 2025, the United Nations General Assembly adopted the New York Declaration, emphasizing a two-state solution and international support for peaceful settlement. The declaration received backing from 142 UN member states, while 10 voted against and 12 abstained. A series of UN events in New York, including the UN General Assembly High-Level Week, will likely propel concrete discussions on implementing the New York Declaration and recognizing Palestine as an independent state. However, the struggle for Palestinian sovereignty remains fraught with challenges, including the US veto of six UN Security Council resolutions calling for a ceasefire in Gaza since October 2023.

Key Takeaways:

  • The New York Declaration, adopted by 142 UN member states, emphasizes a two-state solution and international support for peaceful settlement.
  • A series of UN events in New York, including the UN General Assembly High-Level Week, will likely propel concrete discussions on implementing the New York Declaration and recognizing Palestine as an independent state.
  • The US veto of six UN Security Council resolutions calling for a ceasefire in Gaza since October 2023 poses a significant challenge to Palestinian sovereignty.
  • international pressure mounts on Israeli leader Benjamin Netanyahu due to the war in Gaza and domestic criticism, with opinions intensifying against his military and political policies.
  • Powerful pro-Israel lobbies, including the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC), influence Washington's foreign policy, resulting in support for Israel coming from both Democrats and Republicans.
  • The cycle of Israeli ignoring international pressure, knowing the US will continue to provide protection in multilateral forums like the UN Security Council, creates a significant obstacle to Palestinian sovereignty.
  • Global South countries, including Indonesia, Malaysia, Pakistan, Russia, China, India, South Africa, and Brazil, as well as a number of other countries, are stepping up diplomacy to pressure Israel.
  • Support from Arab countries has been increasingly consistent, particularly through the Arab League, Gulf Cooperation Council, and Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) forums.
  • Some European countries have even considered official recognition of a Palestinian state as a way out of the prolonged political deadlock.

Statistics:

  • 142 UN member states supported the New York Declaration.
  • 10 UN member states voted against the New York Declaration.
  • 12 UN member states abstained from voting on the New York Declaration.
  • Since October 2023, the US has vetoed six UN Security Council resolutions calling for a ceasefire in Gaza.
  • Over 65,000 Palestinians have been killed, and 161,000 others have been injured in Gaza and the West Bank as a result of massive attacks and continuous bombing by the Israeli army.
  • More than a million residents in Gaza are at risk of starvation due to months of Israeli blockade.
  • The UN has reported that hospitals and medical centers are unable to operate, and the nutritional crisis among children is increasing drastically.

Sources:

  • "Jakarta, Sept. 21 -- Recognition of Palestine as an independent state is now closer to being realized, although the road to sovereignty remains steep and full of challenges." (Source: Antara News)
  • "On September 12, 2025, the United Nations (UN) General Assembly adopted the New York Declaration, which emphasized a two-state solution between Israel and Palestine." (Source: Antara News)
  • "The New York Declaration, adopted with the support of 142 of the 193 UN member states, 10 against, and 12 abstained, emphasized the importance of a peaceful settlement that respects Palestinian rights, while rejecting violence from any party, including the Hamas group." (Source: Antara News)
  • "According to official UN sources, the presence of the leaders was an important moment to discuss the implementation of the New York Declaration, the recognition of the state of Palestine, and concrete steps towards a ceasefire and reconstruction of Gaza." (Source: Antara News)
  • "However, the struggle for Palestinian sovereignty is not easy. Since October 2023, the United States (US) has vetoed six UN Security Council resolutions calling for a ceasefire in Gaza." (Source: Antara News)
  • "The US argued that the resolution did not sufficiently condemn Hamas and did not affirm Israel's right to self-defense." (Source: Antara News)
  • "WHO and UNRWA reports state that hospitals and medical centers are unable to operate, while the nutritional crisis among children is increasing drastically." (Source: Antara News)
  • "More than 65,000 Palestinians have been killed and 161,000 others injured in Gaza and the West Bank as a result of massive attacks and continuous bombing by the Israeli army." (Source: Antara News)
  • "On the other hand, Netanyahu (75) continues to receive international pressure due to the war in Gaza as well as domestic criticism." (Source: Antara News)
  • "A wave of protests from Israelis who accuse his government of failing to protect its citizens and prolonging the Gaza war, coupled with a looming corruption case, has put the ruling Likud party leader under increasing political pressure." (Source: Antara News)
  • "Opinions against Netanyahu are also intensifying." (Source: Antara News)
  • "Some Israelis view him as a decisive leader in the face of external threats, while other groups believe that his military and political policies have worsened the humanitarian situation, increased social pressure, and created the risk of diplomatic isolation." (Source: Antara News)
  • "From a political psychology perspective, a tired and stressed leader tends to make emotional decisions." (Source: Antara News)
  • "Foreign attacks are not only a military strategy, but also a form of political communication to emphasize the image of a "tough" leader facing external enemies." (Source: Antara News)
  • "However, the consequences are enormous, especially for Palestinian civilians, as well as wider instability in the region." (Source: Antara News)
  • "On the other hand, US support is a key factor and a "comfortable and free" haven for Netanyahu." (Source: Antara News)
  • "The US considers Israel a strategic ally in the Middle East." (Source: Antara News)
  • "Israel safeguards US interests in this vital region, which serves as an international energy route and a focal point for global competition." (Source: Antara News)
  • "Netanyahu uses US support as a shield and a tool of domestic legitimacy." (Source: Antara News)
  • "In this way, Netanyahu diverts the attention of the Israeli people from the internal crisis to national security issues." (Source: Antara News)
  • "Netanyahu's actions and US support simultaneously illustrate the political paradox in the Middle East: a leader with fragile domestic support but having the freedom to wage war thanks to the support of the US superpower." (Source: Antara News)
  • "In the meantime, the Palestinian people continue to be victims of a combination of political ambition and geopolitical calculations." (Source: Antara News)